Things to do in Hoi An this weekend
A locals-first shortlist of what's worth your time in Hoi An this weekend — from outdoor escapes to standout food and live music.
Top spots in Hoi An
Night Lantern Walk
OutdoorsThu Bon River
After sunset the old town glows — release a paper lantern on the river from a sampan boat.
An Bang Beach
OutdoorsAn Bang
10-minute bike to a palm-lined beach with bamboo loungers and seafood shacks.
Bay Mau Coconut Forest
OutdoorsCam Thanh
Round basket-boat rides through water palms — splashy, fun, very photogenic.
Ancient Town
CultureOld Town
UNESCO 15th-century trading port — Japanese Covered Bridge, assembly halls, silk lantern shops.
Mango Mango
NightlifeOld Town
Riverside cocktail bar — Vietnamese-influenced drinks and one of the best terraces in town.
My Son Sanctuary Day Trip
CultureMy Son
1-hour drive to UNESCO 4th-century Cham Hindu ruins in a jungle valley.
Where to eat
Banh Mi Phuong
$Banh mi · Old Town
Bourdain's pick — pâté, pork belly and a riot of herbs. Order #2.
Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen
$Banh mi · Old Town
Tiny family stall — one sandwich, two-handed, fresh every morning.
Mango Rooms
$$$Fusion Vietnamese · Old Town
Riverside two-floor restaurant from chef Duc Tran — playful global-Vietnamese plates.
Morning Glory
$$Central Vietnamese · Old Town
Chef Ms Vy's all-star menu — cao lau, white-rose dumplings, banh mi alley around the corner.
Streets Restaurant Café
$$Vietnamese · Old Town
Training restaurant for disadvantaged youth — pho and bun cha done very well.
Live & on stage
Hoi An Lantern Festival
Old Town · Every full moon · Cultural / Free
Mid-Autumn Festival
Old Town · Oct 6 · Lantern / Family
Tet Lunar New Year
Old Town · Feb 17 · Festival / Free
Vietnamese Cinema Festival
Old Town · Sep 12–15 · Cinema
Frequently asked
- Locals' favourites right now: Ancient Town, Night Lantern Walk, An Bang Beach. The full list is curated weekly and balances outdoor, food, culture and live music picks.